Vancouver FC

Not to be confused with Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Vancouver Rise FC.

Vancouver FC
Full nameVancouver Football Club
Nickname(s)Eagles
Short nameVanFC, VFC
FoundedNovember 2, 2022 (2022-11-02)
StadiumWilloughby Community Park, Langley, British Columbia
Capacity6,600
OwnerSixFive Sports and Entertainment
PresidentRob Friend
CoachMartin Nash
LeagueCanadian Premier League
2024Regular season, 7th
Playoffs, did not qualify
Websitevancouverfc.canpl.ca

Vancouver Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer club that competes in the Canadian Premier League, the top tier of the Canadian soccer league system.[1] The club is based in Langley, British Columbia and plays their home matches at the Willoughby Community Park stadium.

History

On November 10, 2021, the Canadian Premier League announced that it had awarded an expansion club in Vancouver to SixFive Sports and Entertainment LP.[2] More details were announced on April 13, 2022, when the CPL and SixFive announced that the new club would play in Langley, British Columbia, at Willoughby Community Park, adjacent to the Langley Events Centre.[3]

On November 2, 2022, the club held its official launch event where it announced its name; revealed its branding; and presented Afshin Ghotbi as the club's first head coach.[4] The CPL announced that the club would begin league play for the 2023 season.[5]

In March 2023, Eugene Martínez was called up to the Belize national team for 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B matches against Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. In the process he became the first Vancouver FC player to be called for international duty as a member of the club.[6]

Vancouver FC played its first league match on April 15, 2023, away to provincial rivals Pacific FC. The match ended in a 1–0 victory for Pacific with Manny Aparicio becoming the first-ever goalscorer against Vancouver.[7] On matchday two, Vancouver defeated York United FC 2–1 for the club's inaugural victory. Shaan Hundal scored the first-ever goal for the club, while Gael Sandoval scored the eventual game-winner.[8][9]

The club faced Cavalry FC in its first home match at the newly-constructed Willoughby Community Park stadium in front of a sell-out crowd of over 6,500 fans on May 7, 2023.[10] Despite playing a man-down for over an hour after a red card was shown to Rocco Romeo, the club managed a 1–1 draw. First-ever Vancouver FC scorer Shaan Hundal scored the equalizing goal which was also the first home goal in club history.[11]

In 2025, Afshin Ghotbi led Vancouver FC to its first-ever Canadian Championship Semi-Final, competing alongside the Vancouver Whitecaps, Forge FC, and Atlético Ottawa. During his tenure, multiple players earned national team call-ups, including TJ Tahid (Canada U17 & Ghana U20), James Cameron (Canada U20), Kevin Podgorni (Canada U17), Gabi Bitar (Lebanon), Mikael Cantave (Haiti), and Grady McDonnell (Ireland U17). The 2025 squad also included players attracting interest from European clubs, reflecting his eye for talent and focus on player advancement. Despite challenges in league standings, his tenure was noted for vision, structural foundations, and a commitment to building a meaningful presence for the community and Canadian soccer.[12] Ghotbi departed the club in 2025 by mutual agreement with management. “Afshin’s leadership, vision, and professionalism were critical in getting us off the ground. He leaves behind a legacy of commitment and excellence, and we thank him for helping build the DNA of Vancouver FC.” Vancouver FC President Rob Friend said.[13]

On July 23, 2025, the club and Ghotbi mutually agreed to part ways, and Martin Nash was selected to start as the interim manager.[14]

Crest and colours

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vancouver FC kits.

The primary crest is circular and features the name of the club and year of establishment in the outer ring. In the centre is a stylized eagle in the shape of the letter V. The club colours are black, grey, and red (branded as charcoal black, silver, warm red, dark grey, and cinder).[15]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt partner
2023–2024 Macron[16] CIBC, Carlsberg[17]
2025–present Cafe Artigiano,[18] Carlsberg

Stadium

Main article: Willoughby Community Park (stadium)

Vancouver FC play in a new stadium at Langley's Willoughby Community Park.[4] It has a capacity of 6,560 seats in its initial configuration, with potential for further expansion. The construction operations began in February 2023 and involved the usage of modular prefabricated elements.[19]

Players and staff

Roster

As of August 15, 2025[20]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Canada CAN Callum Irving (captain)
2 DF Canada CAN Paris Gee
3 DF Canada CAN Kunle Dada-Luke
4 DF Uganda UGA Allan Enyou (on loan from Leganés B)
5 DF Canada CAN Matteo Campagna
6 MF Peru PER Vasco Fry
7 DF Canada CAN Thierno Bah
8 MF Tunisia TUN Mehdi Essoussi
9 FW Canada CAN Hugo Mbongue (on loan from Toronto FC)
10 MF Brazil BRA Juan Batista
11 FW New Zealand NZL Jay Herdman (on loan from Cavalry FC)
12 MF Canada CAN Tyler Crawford
13 DF Canada CAN David Norman Jr.
14 FW Canada CAN Terran Campbell
15 DF United States USA Aidan O'Connor (on loan from New York Red Bulls II)
No. Pos. Nation Player
16 MF Brazil BRA Michel Cavalcante
17 MF Canada CAN Emrick Fotsing
18 MF Canada CAN Thomas Powell
19 FW Mexico MEX José Navarro
20 MF Uruguay URU Nicolás Mezquida
23 MF Ivory Coast CIV Abdoulaye Ouattara
24 FW Canada CAN Henri Godbout
25 DF Senegal SEN Ndiaye Pathé (on loan from Leganés B)
26 MF Ghana GHA T.J. Tahid
29 MF Canada CAN Kevin Podgorni
32 MF Trinidad and Tobago TRI Dominic Joseph
35 GK Canada CAN Matheus de Souza
40 MF Canada CAN Joey Buchanan
41 GK Colombia COL Felipe Jaramillo

Out on loan

As of July 27, 2025

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— FW Mexico MEX Alejandro Díaz (at Pacific)

Staff

As of July 22, 2025[21]
Executive
President Canada Rob Friend
Coaching staff
Head coach Canada Martin Nash
Assistant coach Denmark Philip Lund
Assistant coach Canada Azad Palani
Goalkeeping coach Canada Niko Giantsopoulos

Head coaches

As of July 25, 2025
Coach Nation Tenure Record
G W D L Win %
Afshin Ghotbi  Iran November 2, 2022 – July 23, 2025 76 16 22 38 021.05
Martin Nash (interim)  Canada July 23, 2025 – present 1 0 0 1 000.00

Club captains

Years Name Nation
2023–present Callum Irving[22]  Canada

Records

Year-by-year

Season League Playoffs CC Continental Top goalscorer(s)
Div League Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Pos. Name Goals
2023 1 CPL 28 8 5 15 28 50 -22 29 1.04 7th DNQ R1 Ineligible Lebanon Gabriel Bitar
Canada Shaan Hundal 		6
2024 CPL 28 7 9 12 29 43 -14 30 1.07 7th DNQ R1 DNQ Alejandro Díaz 10

All-time top scorers

As of October 19, 2024
# Name Nation Career at club Goals
CPL Cup Int'l Total
1 Alejandro Díaz  Mexico 2023–present 12 0 0 12
2 Gabriel Bitar  Lebanon 2023–2024 10 0 0 10
3 Shaan Hundal  Canada 2023 6 0 0 6
4 Mikaël Cantave  Haiti 2023–present 5 0 0 5
5 Taryck Tahid  Canada 2023–present 4 0 0 4
Moses Dyer  New Zealand 2024 4 0 0 4
7 Vasco Fry  Peru 2023–present 3 0 0 3
8 Rocco Romeo  Canada 2023–2024 2 0 0 2
Elage Bah  Canada 2024–present 2 0 0 2

Note: Bold indicates active player

Note: 8 Others tied at 1

All-time top assists

As of October 19, 2024
# Name Nation Career at club Assists
CPL Cup Int'l Total
1 Gabriel Bitar  Lebanon 2023–2024 6 0 0 6
2 Mikaël Cantave  Haiti 2023–present 5 0 0 5
3 Paris Gee  Canada 2024–present 4 0 0 4
4 Vasco Fry  Peru 2023–present 3 0 0 3
Kadin Chung  Canada 2023–2024 3 0 0 3
Gael Sandoval  Mexico 2023 3 0 0 3
7 Min-jae Kwak  Republic of Korea 2023 2 0 0 2
Alejandro Díaz  Mexico 2023–present 2 0 0 2
Grady McDonnell  Ireland 2024 2 0 0 2
Austin Ricci  Canada 2024 2 0 0 2

Note: Bold indicates active player

All-time most appearances

As of October 19, 2024
# Name Nation Career at club Games played
CPL Cup Int'l Total
1 Callum Irving  Canada 2023–present 55 2 0 57
2 Gabriel Bitar  Lebanon 2023–2024 51 2 0 53
3 Rocco Romeo  Canada 2023–2024 48 2 0 50
4 Alejandro Díaz  Mexico 2023–present 42 1 0 43
5 Renan Garcia  Brazil 2023–2024 41 1 0 42
Mikaël Cantave  Haiti 2023–present 41 1 0 42
7 James Cameron  Canada 2023–2024 36 1 0 37
8 T.J. Tahid  Canada 2023–present 36 0 0 36
9 Vasco Fry  Peru 2023–present 33 1 0 34
Kadin Chung  Canada 2023–2024 32 2 0 34

Note: Bold indicates active player

Awards

Canadian Premier League Awards

Year Name Award Status
2023 James Cameron Best Canadian U-21 Player Nominated[23]

References

  1. ^ Jacques, John (November 3, 2022). "Langley Launched: Introducing Vancouver FC". Northern Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  2. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 10, 2021). "Canadian Premier League awards expansion club in Vancouver to SixFive Sports & Entertainment". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  3. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (April 13, 2022). "SixFive Sports reveals Langley, BC location for Vancouver 2023 CPL team". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "New Langley-based pro soccer team will be called Vancouver FC". Langley Advance Times. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  5. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (November 2, 2022). "'This market is ready for something different': Vancouver FC owner Rob Friend on the vision behind the CPL's newest club". Canadian Premier League.
  6. ^ Jacques, John (March 19, 2023). "Club History: Vancouver FC's 'Pele' Martinez Called Up For Belize". Northern Tribune. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  7. ^ Wallace, Kelly (April 18, 2023). "Pacific FC beats new rivals Vancouver FC – photo gallery". Total Soccer News. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  8. ^ "CPL new boys Vancouver FC score first goal and secure first win in club history". Canadian Soccer Daily. April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  9. ^ O'Connor Clarke, Charlie (April 22, 2023). "HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Vancouver FC | April 22, 2023". OneSoccer. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  10. ^ Jacques, John (May 7, 2023). "Making History: Vancouver FC Sells Out Tonight's Home Opener". Northern Tribune. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Saelhof, Todd. "Cavalry can't find way to win against 10-man Vancouver FC". Calgary Sun. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  12. ^ "Built a Club from the Ground Up | Afshin Ghotbi". Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  13. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  14. ^ FC, Vancouver (July 23, 2025). "Vancouver FC Parts Ways with Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi". Vancouver FC. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  15. ^ "Canadian Premier League unveils newest franchise Vancouver FC". CBC. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Jacques, John (March 26, 2023). "Revealed: Vancouver FC Inaugural Kits". Northern Tribune. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  17. ^ "Vancouver FC unveils kits for inaugural season". Canadian Premier League. March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Chevalier, Beau (March 27, 2025). "Vancouver FC launch 2025 Kits with new front-of-kit sponsor Caffè Artigiano". Vancouver FC. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  19. ^ Davidson, Neil (February 9, 2023). "Vancouver FC offers a look at its new modular Canadian Premier League stadium home". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "Vancouver FC Roster". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  21. ^ "Vancouver FC unveils coaching staff for 2025". OurSportsCentral. March 8, 2025.
  22. ^ "Historic weekend ahead as Vancouver FC host inaugural home opener on Sunday". Canadian Premier League. April 26, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  23. ^ "Vancouver FC winger James Cameron nominated for best U21 player in CPL". Aldergrove Star. October 20, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
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